Air quality Sampling

and Monitoring in
Egypt
by:
Salma Elsaid - Salma Emad - Asmaa Salem - Ali soliman

under supervision of:

Dr. Ahmed Fahmy
Ms. Donia Salem
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
01 02
Introduction Methods of air
sampling

03 04
Air pollutants in Air monitoring
Egypt stations in Egypt
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
05
Air quality standards and regulations
in Egypt

06

Challenges and future improvements

 01
Introduction
 Air sampling
Air sampling refers to the process of collecting air from the environment to
analyze its composition, detect pollutants, and assess its quality.
The importance of air quality sampling lies in:
- understanding the concentration of harmful pollutants
- identifying pollution sources
- ensuring that air quality remains within safe limits.
- monitoring exposures to chemicals to public health protection
- adhering to pollution control regulations.
- evaluating the environmental impact of industrial activities
 02
Methods of Air
Sampling
 Methods of Air Sampling
1. Gravimetric Sampling
Gravimetric sampling is used to measure particulate matter (PM), such as PM2.5 and PM10.
In this method:
Air is drawn through a filter, which captures particulate matter.
The filter is weighed before and after sampling to determine the amount of particles collected.
- It is commonly used for regulatory monitoring of PM levels, which are a significant health
concern in Egypt due to dust and industrial emissions.

2. Gas Sampling Using Adsorbents

This method is employed to sample gaseous pollutants like volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
and sulfur dioxide (SO2).
- Air is passed through a solid adsorbent material (e.g., activated carbon or silica gel) that
traps the target gas molecules.
- The adsorbent is later analyzed in a laboratory to quantify the pollutant concentration.
 Methods of Air Sampling
3. Passive Sampling
- A diffusive sampler is placed in the air for a period, where gases slowly diffuse into
the sampler and are absorbed by a medium.
- After exposure, the sampler is analyzed in the laboratory to determine the
concentration of gases.
- This method is often used for long-term air quality monitoring
4. Active sampling
- Active sampling is performed with an impaction sampler. This sampler draws in a
specified amount of ambient air for the test, so, it requires a pump to collect air
samples.
- Active sampling is preferred for real-time monitoring or when high temporal
resolution is needed
 Methods of Air Sampling
5. Continuous Monitoring (Real-time Sampling)
- Continuous air quality monitoring stations provide real-time data on various
pollutants such as NO2, SO2, CO, ozone, and PM.
- Air is continuously drawn into analyzers that measure pollutant levels using
techniques like spectroscopy, electrochemical sensors, or light scattering.
- The data is recorded and transmitted to a central system for analysis and public
reporting.
- Continuous monitoring is critical for air quality management in highly polluted areas.
Egypt has installed several such stations, particularly in major cities, to monitor and
respond to air quality changes.
 Methods of Air Sampling
6. High-Volume Air Sampling
- Method is popular for measurement of
the mass concentration of suspended
particles smaller than 10 micrometer.

- In this method, a known volume of air is

sucked by a high speed blower through
a fine filter and the increase in weight
due to trapped particles is measured.
 03
Air pollutants
In Egypt
 Air pollutants in Egypt
1- Nitrogen Oxides:
Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is a common nitrogen oxide in the air, mainly found with nitric oxide (NO) as part
of the total nitrogen oxides (NOx). These gases are mostly produced by human activities in cities,
especially through high-temperature burning. Traffic emissions are the main source of NOx, while smaller
amounts come from power plants and factories. Industrial emissions spread faster due to their height, so
traffic remains the biggest source.

2- Sulphur dioxide:
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is released when sulfur in certain fuels burns. Power plants and industries using fuels
like mazut produce a lot of SO2. While gasoline cars don’t emit SO2, diesel vehicles do, impacting air
quality in traffic areas. Open burning of waste also adds to SO2 levels.

3- Particulate matter less than 10 micrometer:

Traffic emissions and wind stirring up dust are major sources of these particles. Open burning of
waste and industrial emissions also add to the problem. In Egypt, the dry and desert-like
environment creates dust when the wind blows, but it is generally less harmful than other sources.
 Air pollutants in Egypt
4- Carbon Monoxide:
The main source of carbon monoxide (CO) is traffic emissions. The amount released depends
significantly on the vehicle’s speed and engine efficiency, with the highest levels occurring when
the vehicle is moving at its slowest speeds.

5- Ozone:
Ozone concentrations in the air come from the ozone present in the stratosphere and the
emissions from the troposphere. Therefore, ozone levels vary based on the location and time of
measurement. Ozone concentrations decrease significantly when it reacts with other air pollutants
like nitrogen oxides.
 Air pollutants in Egypt
Summary of Air Quality Monitoring for December 2023:

1. Gases:

● Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂): Levels were within legal limits, with 100% compliance for hourly and
daily averages in urban and industrial areas.
● Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂): 100% compliance for hourly averages and 98% for daily averages.
● Carbon Monoxide (CO): 100% compliance for both hourly and 8-hour averages.
● Ozone (O₃): 100% compliance for both hourly and 8-hour averages.
● Ammonia (NH₃): 100% compliance for daily averages in urban and industrial areas.

2. Particulate Matter:

● PM2.5 (Particles < 2.5 micrometers): 97% compliance with daily limits.
● PM10 (Particles < 10 micrometers): 74% compliance with daily limits.

3. Meteorological Factors:

● There were three incidents during the month where pollution levels exceeded the legal limit of
150 µg/m³ due to weather conditions.
 Air pollutants in Egypt
General Average PM10 concentrations in december 2023
 Air pollutants in Egypt
Average PM10 concentrations in december 2023 on daily basis
 Air pollutants in Egypt
General Average PM10 concentrations in August 2023 on daily basis
 Air pollutants in Egypt
Average PM concentrations in August 2023 on daily basis
 04
Air monitoring
stations in Egypt
 Air monitoring stations in Egypt
The monitoring network consists of 120 stations distributed across various
regions in the country as follows:

● Industrial areas: 20 stations

● Urban and residential areas: 63 stations
● Traffic areas: 11 stations
● Reference areas: 2 stations
● Areas with mixed activities: 22 stations
● Mobile air pollution monitoring stations: 2 stations
 Air monitoring stations in Egypt

Figure 1: this image shows the distribution of air monitoring stations across Egypt according to EEAA website.
Air monitoring
stations in
Egypt

Figure 1: this image shows the distribution of air monitoring stations across Egypt according to EEAA website.
 05
Air Quality
Standards And
Regulations in
Egypt
Air Quality Standards And
Regulations in Egypt:
Air Quality Standards and
Regulations in Egypt:
1. Air Pollution
Regulations

Pollution Construction Waste Project Site

Limits

Polluting Open Waste Chemical

Machines Burning Pesticides
Air Quality Standards and
Regulations in Egypt:
1. Air Pollution
Regulations

Fuel Oil Industry Noise Control

Emissions

Workplace Air Temperature/

Public Ventilation
Quality Humidity
 06
Challenges and
Future
improvements
 Major Challenges
Many traditional air Some pollutants are present
sampling techniques in very low concentrations,
provide delayed results requiring highly sensitive
since they require lab equipment for detection.
analysis.

Capture a snapshot of Operate autonomously,

the air at a specific at different times or
time. without direct human
intervention.
 Major Challenges
Air samples can contain complex Air sampling equipment
mixtures of pollutants. Interpreting requires regular calibration to
the results to identify pollution maintain accuracy. Field
sources and their impact can be conditions can degrade
challenging. It’s hard to trace equipment performance,
them back to specific sources. leading to potential errors.
 Future Improvements
The Air Quality Egg is a low-cost, portable Remote Sensing and
air sensor. It measures pollutants such Satellites: TEMPO is a NASA
as NO2, CO2, and particulate matter satellite designed to measure
(PM2.5 and PM10). The device allows air pollution (ozone, nitrogen
communities to monitor air quality at dioxide) across North America
the local level.
from space.

Air Intake
 Future Improvements
Wearable Technology: Each Atmotube measures
the levels of major air pollutants such as
CO2, particles PM1, PM2.5, PM10,
formaldehyde, TVOCs, CO, O3. It tracks
environmental conditions such as relative humidity,
temperature, atmospheric pressure, background
noise level and light intensity. They are particularly
valuable for individuals with respiratory issues
or for those living in polluted areas, as they
can monitor their personal exposure to pollutants
and take precautionary actions.
THANKS